Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is grappling with a 'new reality' after a surprising early exit at the Madrid Open. The Serbian tennis maestro was defeated by Italy's Matteo Arnaldi with scores of 6-3, 6-4, marking his second consecutive tournament loss in the opening round.

Djokovic, who debuted in Madrid in 2006 and clinched the title in 2011, 2016, and 2019, expressed uncertainty about his future appearances in Madrid. 'I'm not sure if I will come back. So, I don't know. I mean, I'll come back, maybe not as a player. I hope it's not, but it could be,' Djokovic stated.

This defeat is part of a challenging phase for Djokovic, who has faced several early exits this year. 'I lost to a better player. I've had a few of these this year where I lose in the first round, unfortunately,' he admitted. The loss to Arnaldi, ranked 44th globally, adds to Djokovic's recent struggles, including defeats in Monte Carlo and the Miami Masters final.

Arnaldi, who idolizes Djokovic, was elated with his victory. 'He's my idol, he's always been, so I was just glad that I could play him. To play him on a stage like this was already a victory for me,' Arnaldi shared. Despite Djokovic's 32 unforced errors, Arnaldi showcased a series of impressive shots that secured his win.

In other matches, British players Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, and Jack Draper advanced to the next round. Norrie overcame a slow start to defeat Czech Jiri Lehecka, while Fearnley and Draper also secured victories against their respective opponents.

Djokovic's current form raises questions about his ability to reclaim his top-tier status in the tennis world. As he navigates this new chapter, the tennis community watches closely, anticipating his next moves in a sport that has seen him dominate for over two decades.